Afia Walking Tree
Founder and Executive Director
Afia Walking Tree, M.Ed, PhD* is a world-class percussionist, cultural ambassador, spiritual activist, empowerment facilitator, leadership development advocate and trainer. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, she is currently based in Oakland, California.
A self-taught musician, Walking Tree has studied and performed with many masters within West African, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian traditions. Walking Tree serves as visionary and director for her brainchild, Spirit Drumz, an international liberation movement for women and youth of all cultures that uses drums of the African Diaspora to activate empowerment and healing.
Walking Tree's holistic approach to her life and work is evident in her affirmation-based sound powah transpersonal workshops and energizing performances, which empower individuals and community through percussion, ritual, dance, song, and dialogue. She is called luminary trailblazer because of her innovative, joyful, constructive, and inspiring approach to envisioning, awakening, and freeing our collective voices. Many seasoned community leaders express that Walking Tree is one of the most dynamic facilitator and activist for humanity they have seen in action.
In 2005, Walking Tree journeyed to West Africa, Guinea and Ghana, where she furthered her mastery with griots and shamans in drum, dance, culture, and wellness. As a masterful facilitator Walking Tree builds bridges across communities, inspiring sustainable change at multiple levels, by awakening everyone she touches, and by liberating masses in the briefest of moments. This *Phenomenally Hot Drummer and Shaman, was coronated and crowned, Amazon Queen of the Drum Lineage, Ajuba (means Miracles) in 2004, in honor of her efforts to awaken the voice of the drum amazon in women and girls all over the world.
Afia Walking Tree's drumsongs are prayers of gratitude for the generosity of spirit. Her lyrics are evolutionary teachings, addressing present day issues of social justice, freedom, healing and self-love. Her first solo CD, entitled Soul Affirmationz is now available at www.spiritdrumz.org
Walking Tree has shared the stage with many activists and artists such as: Alice Walker, Tuck & Patti, Jennifer Berezan, Olympia Dukakis, Gloria Steinem, Wilma Mankille, Vicki Noble, Vicki Randle, Kelly Takunda Orphan, Marisa Tomei, Linda Tillery, Rhiannon, Joanna Macy, Dance Brigade, Rita Sahai, Luisah Teish, Drew Dellinger, Terry Sendgraff¹s Aerial Dancers, Christian de la Huerta, Joey Blake, David Worm, Jami Sieber, Vicki Noble, Kim Rosen, Chris Webster, Erika Luckett, Edwina Lee Tyler, Debbie McGee, Phyllis Bethel, Ubaka Hill, Arthur Hull, Veronica Combs, Carolyn Brandy, Mabiba Baegne, Abdulai Diakete, Fred Simpson, Caru Thompson, Linda Thomas-Jones, Fatu Henderson, Marquinho Brasil, Alex Acuna, Brindle Sweigart, Debbie Nargi Brown, Chris Kenney, Michael Glusman, Gary Kehoe, Linda Thomas-Jones, Judy Grahn, CC Carter, and countless others.
She has collaborated with ensembles, troupes, and organizations such as: Percussion de Guinea Ballet, Creating Change National LGBT Conference Pride Ritual, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Percussive Arts Society, Michigan Women's Music Festival, Dance Brigade, Sambada Brazilian Band, Adaawe Percussion Troupe, Purple Moon Dance Project, Ase Drumming Circle, DrumNdance, Liquid Fire Productions, Drum for Joy, Mother Spirit Ensemble, and many others.
Book Afia Walking Tree for your next event now!
VIEW: Afia Walking Tree Activism & Leadership Resume
VIEW: Afia Walking Tree References, Recommendations & Endorsements
Contact Walking Tree at 510-534-9603 walkingtree@spiritdrumz.org
